In programming his two-disc entry in ECM's :rarum series, for which the artists select tracks and provide written comments, pianist Keith Jarrett included recordings "that either have been heard less than I feel is their d... more »ue or have escaped recent awareness." Open-minded listeners should rise to the challenge posed by this characteristically idiosyncratic collection, which includes solo pipe organ and clavichord performances, and tracks from Spirits, Jarrett's love-it-or-hate-it experiment in multi-instrumental overdubbing, recorded in 1985. Jazz travelers may find this an uneven journey, particularly those who prize him most for his solo piano epics. Time limitations prevent the inclusion of sides from landmark efforts such as the 1975 Köln Concert (the set's shorter solo sides include an 11-minute excerpt from his 1981 Munich concerts, presented on CD for the first time, and tracks from 1987's so-so Dark Intervals, recorded in Tokyo). The highlights include performances by Jarrett's brilliant longstanding "standards" trio with Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette, and his '70s European quartet with Norwegian saxophonist and labelmate Jan Garbarek, who provide an unlikely but winning setting for his gospel chops. As inconsistent and elusive as this selected Jarrett may be, it provides a fresh setting in which to sample his daring, intensely lyrical approach. ECM's first foray into 24 bit/96kHz remasterings adds to the eventfulness of this release. --Lloyd Sachs« less
In programming his two-disc entry in ECM's :rarum series, for which the artists select tracks and provide written comments, pianist Keith Jarrett included recordings "that either have been heard less than I feel is their due or have escaped recent awareness." Open-minded listeners should rise to the challenge posed by this characteristically idiosyncratic collection, which includes solo pipe organ and clavichord performances, and tracks from Spirits, Jarrett's love-it-or-hate-it experiment in multi-instrumental overdubbing, recorded in 1985. Jazz travelers may find this an uneven journey, particularly those who prize him most for his solo piano epics. Time limitations prevent the inclusion of sides from landmark efforts such as the 1975 Köln Concert (the set's shorter solo sides include an 11-minute excerpt from his 1981 Munich concerts, presented on CD for the first time, and tracks from 1987's so-so Dark Intervals, recorded in Tokyo). The highlights include performances by Jarrett's brilliant longstanding "standards" trio with Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette, and his '70s European quartet with Norwegian saxophonist and labelmate Jan Garbarek, who provide an unlikely but winning setting for his gospel chops. As inconsistent and elusive as this selected Jarrett may be, it provides a fresh setting in which to sample his daring, intensely lyrical approach. ECM's first foray into 24 bit/96kHz remasterings adds to the eventfulness of this release. --Lloyd Sachs
CD Reviews
Medium Rare maybe, but excellent nonetheless
Gavin Wilson | 06/01/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm not sure why ECM has chosen to name this compilation series RARUM, as the Latin word means thin, scattered, sporadic.
However rarum is great for doing a rapid search on the Amazon catalogue, which instantly brings up all nine offerings in the series,
together with a misspelling of the Lucretius work 'De Rerum Natura'. I'm slowly working my way through five of the :rarum compilations, and this is only the second I've been listening to. My belief is
that this is rather better than the Jan Garbarek :rarum, for a couple of reasons: firstly, more effort has been put into selecting the right
tracks, and secondly, more music has been squeezed in. The first Garbarek :rarum CD clocks in at 70 minutes. The first Jarrett CD
fills just over 80 minutes. There are plenty of excellent Garbarek tracks that could have filled the spare 10 minutes, but to the buyer,
it simply seems that no-one could be bothered to make the choice. The 2CD Jarrett compilation takes us on a tour of much of his ECM output, starting with three tracks of his clavichord compositions
from 'Book of Ways'. These strike me as the weakest part of the compilation, but I don't know the pieces well, so maybe I'll grow
to like them. 24-bit remastering has improved the sonic qualities of much of Jarrett's music, particularly the percussion and treble instruments. The
attack of Palle Danielsson's double bass on 'Long as You Know You're Living Yours' (the track that Donald Fagen plundered for a
composition on the Steely Dan GAUCHO album) has never sounded better. Jarrett's customary grunting and stomping never
interferes with one's enjoyment, but it is a pity that several members of the forward audience at Bregenz 1981 had tickly coughs
which are also accentuated by 24-bit remastering. Jarrett's Nordic quartet produced music of exceptional quality, but it is a shame that his US quartet (Motian, Redman and Haden) is
entirely unrepresented here. If I were compiling a third CD for this album, I would add: 'Survivors Suite Part II', 'Summer Night' (from BYE BYE BLACKBIRD), 'Runes' (from ARBOUR ZENA) and the gorgeous
'Prism' from PERSONAL MOUNTAINS. So at whom is this CD compilation aimed? I suspect that few copies will be bought by the novice who has no Jarrett albums in his
or her collection. I assume that ECM intending that the collection will appeal to the likes of me, who has a few Jarrett albums on LP
and CD, and wants to hear some unfamiliar tracks as well as remastered versions of familiar tunes. In both respects, :rarum scores
excellently."
The air is singing
William Wood | Sydney, New South Wales Australia | 10/11/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Here we have Jarrett's own overview of his career so far.The selection shows both the diversity of his music and also the common thread running through all of his music.
We are presented with a body of work that is simply breathtaking in its summoning up of what Robert Fripp refers to as " the moment when the music leans over and takes us into it's confidence".The clavichord pieces which open disc 1 are beautifully recorded and wonderfully played invitations to the moment and yet they are regarded as minor peices in the canon.By the time we reach the solo piano improvisations on disc 2 we are in the presence of something beyond music.
I would reccomend this set to anyone looking for a place to start with Keith Jarrett's music. Simpy put ,I feel jarrett has taken the restraints inherent in a 2 disc release and presented us with some of the most magical moments of his music making so far."
KEITH JARRETT, AN AMERICAN ORIGINAL
earthvolunteer | Atlanta, Ga. USA | 09/14/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"To coin a cliche, Keith Jarrett is an American original...an artist who truly defies easy description. He can play piano softly with all of the melodic structure of a New Age recording artist...or he can improvise with all the ferocity and dissonance of the jazz and classical greats. He has had in indescribable influence on modern American music for nearly the past 40 years.ECM's 2002 release of "Selected Recordings" is a great way for one to be introduced to Jarrett's multi-faceted work as well as a nice reason for old fans to reminisce about his 50-plus albums for ECM alone. What is so special about this collection is the diversity of music and instruments (on various tracks Jarrett plays piano, clavichord, pipe organ, saxophone, Pakastani flute, recorders, percussion, etc., etc...) There is also a nice representation of live versus studio recordings as well.I have owned many of Jarrett's recordings through the years, but with a few exceptions, always found it difficult to enjoy any one entire recording upon repeated listening. After many albums of live solo piano improvisations I sometimes found myself wanting to rip the latest solo-live CD from its cradle and toss it out the nearest window. Likewise, Jarrett's nearly incessant need in recent years to release more and more "Trio" CDs (with accompaniment by Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette) was growing tiresome and repetitive. One live "Trio" CD was beginning to sound just like another.Here, new and old fans alike can enjoy various sounds, styles and arrangements in smaller doses without the feeling that they are listening to a "Greatest Hits" collection.Jarrett's work on "Spheres" and "Invocations" performed on the great pipe organ of Ottobeuren is eerie and breathtaking. Likewise, his piano improvisation closing the concert in Bregenz, Austria in May, 1981 is both a soaring and melodic improvisation. Check out "The Celestial Hawk" and the solo CD of "Concerts" (from Bregenz, Austria) if you are seeking to purchase some of Jarrett's other great album works."
Relatively good collection
Victor Gane | Stanford, CA USA | 03/16/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I believe this to be a good introductory collection for anyone not familiar with Mr. Jarrett's work. It is a compilation containing samples from albums recorded during more than 30 years that this accomplished musician invested into the world of music. The selection was influenced by Keith's revisiting his old recordings. Hence, the transition between some tracks may seem at times disconnected. All the same, the musician's intent was to expose to the younger generation of listeners some his older and less known recordings. It is indeed a joy to have ECM revisit the work of some "Great Masters"."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1